Assessment of bioaerosol pollution over Indo-Gangetic plain

Abstract

Aerosol plays a very important role in climate change and public health. It affects cloud condensation nuclei and causes a number of epidemic diseases. The correlations of aerosol with epidemic diseases are due to the biotic components of aerosol. The present study deals with the measurements and characterization of bioaerosol over Indo-Gangetic plain. The levels of PM10 and PM2.5 are much higher than the recommended value set by NAAQS in India. Bacterial and fungal concentrations are in the reported range. Bacterial concentration is higher than fungal concentration. Gram-positive bacteria contribute 75% while gram-negative bacteria contribute 25% only. A total seven types of fungi are identified in aerosols. Aspergillus niger is dominant. Meteorological parameters play important roles in growth and presence of microorganism in the air. Bacterial concentrations are governed mainly by temperature while fungal concentration is influenced by relative humidity.

Bioaerosols in the Suburbs of Ostrava during a One Year Period

“…The corrected mean (after retransformation) concentration of bacteria was 176 CFU/m 3 , that is below concentration levels reported by most of the studies performed in cities abroad as well as below the acceptable threshold for microbes in indoor environ- , fungi also had lower concentrations compared to other studies and the acceptable threshold (5,22).…”

“…Bioaerosol particles are of various sizes, ranging from pollen grains exceeding 100 µm in aerodynamic diameter to viruses as small as several micrometers in size; that is, PM 10 , PM 2.5 and PM 1.0 particles are contained. Especially viruses, bacteria, spores and saccharides or proteins as components of the respirable fraction pose potential health risks (3,5).…”

“…The main effect of bioaerosols on human health is the development of allergies and bronchial asthma caused by bacteria, fungi or pollen (5). Apart from bioaerosols, these conditions are contributed to by other airborne dust particles acting as carriers of allergens, aiding in spreading and maintaining bioaerosols in the atmosphere (6).…”

“…Apart from bioaerosols, these conditions are contributed to by other airborne dust particles acting as carriers of allergens, aiding in spreading and maintaining bioaerosols in the atmosphere (6). Also important is the role of bioaerosols in the spread of infectious diseases (5,7). Airborne endotoxins, lipopolysaccharide fragments of the cell of Gram-negative bacteria, produce acute toxic effects, bronchoconstriction, impaired lung function and, in case of chronic exposure, airway remodeling (4,8).…”